James Arthur has said he's quitting Twitter following a heated war of words with comedian Frankie Boyle , and sparking outrage over a homophobic slur he used in a shocking rap.

The pair threw cutting insults at each other before X Factor winner James finally decided to come off the social networking site altogether, writing: "#LOVE to my fans but I'm coming off twitter for good. HQ will be doing all my tweets from now on. PEACE!"

James bit back: "Haha how original with the teeth thing. Note to self: sort teeth! Must sort teeth!! Your an old washed up nerd with poor jokes."

Frankie also compared him to a "post-op Miley Cyrus" after James joked, "If I was a girl I'd really want you."

"@JamesArthur23 Well you look like a post-op Miley Cyrus, so why not get it on? Oh, that's right, because of your rampant homophobia," Frankie blasted back.

Just before the singer vowed to leave the social networking site, he also posted this telling message: "Learnt a lot this year. Hurt a lot this year. F**ked up a lot this year. Loved a lot this year. Lost a lot this year. Roll on 2014. #LOVE

James also used the words "scrubber," "peasant" and "motherf*****" to insult the up and coming musician.

His management, who are growing tired of the star's insults towards others, told him off and just hours later he apologised on his Twitter page.

In a series of tweets, he apologised for "any offence I have caused by using the term 'queer' in my rap battle with MC Worthless," adding: “I just have to say I’m extremely disappointed in myself for being so naive with the diss track I made for an unknown rapper recently."

He continued: "I Would just like to make it completely clear that it was not meant in anyway as a reference to homosexuality.

"I realise where the term has come from in meaning..but used in the context of the rap battles I have grown up with it has come to mean something completely different.. That said, I understand why it could cause offence and that definitely wasn't my intention...

(Photo: PA)

"Some of the things said in this rap can be mistaken for homophobic slurs and I assure you homophobia is something I do not believe in.

"I have many many gay friends. In rap feuds/rap disses the words I used have a different intent. This is a straight man I was attacking. A straight man who littered his track with severe homophobic slurs towards me.. Like I said though it was a rap diss ..

"And in no way a reflection of my true character.. I've heard I've offended Matt Lucas who's work I have always admired and that is a blow.

"Deeply deeply sorry to any gay or lesbian people out there. Plus Rylan is one of my best mates and he is as gay as they come! #LOVE.